Frequently Asked Questions - January 2007
- How often does the choir rehearse?
- Where are rehearsals held?
- Will I need to audition?
- Will I need to commit to the choir for any length of time?
- What’s the cost to join?
- Is there a board of directors or a governing committee of some kind?
- Are there regular “business” meetings?
- How do I get a copy of the lyrics to the songs the choir sings?
- How often does the choir perform? Where does it perform?
- Do I have to perform to be in the choir?
- What do members wear to performances?
- How do I get a scarf?
- It seems like there are already lots of members. Is there room for a new person to join?
- Is there a choir member directory?
- What about a choir E-mail list?
- I’d like to sing a solo with the group and have a song in mind. What should I do?
- I play an instrument. Is there room in the band for me?
- Any special events I should know about?
- I’ve written a song/a poem/a story that I’d like to share with the group. When can I do that?
- I have a friend who’s interested in the choir. What should he/she do?
- Does the choir follow any particular spiritual path?
- I’ve been coming regularly, but I need to leave town for a couple of months/I have a conflict on Wednesday nights for a couple of months. Is that OK?
- When did the choir start?
- Will joining the Love Choir change my life?
Q: How often does the choir rehearse?
A: Weekly, on Wednesday evenings at 7:45 p.m. We usually finish around 9:45 p.m.
A: At Subud Center, 234 Hutchins Avenue, in Sebastopol. Hutchins Avenue is just north of Papas & Pollo Restaurant; the cross street is Gravenstein Highway South.
A: No. Everyone is welcome to join the choir. In fact, our motto is “There’s Safety in Numbers”!
Q: Will I need to commit to the choir for any length of time?
A: No. Come to rehearsals and performances when you can.
A: There is no fee to join. Members have agreed to donate $20 per month during rehearsal. The donations pay for our rehearsal space, other choir expenses, and keep the “Fun Fund” stoked. The fund is used for special choir events. You can donate more or less, depending on your financial situation.
Q: Is there a board of directors or a governing committee of some kind?
A: No. Jim Corbett directs the choir. A few volunteers coordinate communications; others help in other ways as needed. Let Jim know if you’d like to volunteer a special skill.
Q: Are there regular “business” meetings?
A: No. We meet occasionally as needed, usually before a special event.
Q: How do I get a copy of the lyrics to the songs the choir sings?
A: It’s best to learn the songs by listening to them during rehearsal. We try to pick tunes that are familiar to people. Lyric binders are available for use during rehearsal. Copies are available upon request (suggested donation $5.00, to cover the cost of printing), see Teresa Book Webster if interested. Or, you may download a PDF of it from the songbook page and print it yourself.
Q: How often does the choir perform? Where does it perform?
A: We perform several times a year, mostly here and there throughout Sonoma County.
Q: Do I have to perform to be in the choir?
A: No, but it’s fun, and you get to know other members when you’re carpooling to a gig, or hanging out before and after performances.
Q: What do members wear to performances?
A: We wear long, colorful scarves with solid jewel-colored blouses, sweaters, or shirts, and dark pants or skirts. During summer, we often wear festive attire (Hawaiian shirts and sundresses).
A: Talk to Annie Temple (she’s the Treasurer). Scarves are $12.00 each; you can pay cash or write a check payable to Love Choir.
Q: It seems like there are already lots of members. Is there room for a new person to join?
A: Yes. Figure out which section suits you best and start singing! There are two sections for women: Soprano and Alto (there are a few renegade Mezzo-Sopranos, but they are not an “official” section). There are two sections for men: Tenor and Bass.
Q: Is there a choir member directory?
A: Yes. It includes names, addresses, and phone numbers. Let Annie Temple know if you’d like to be on it. You can put as much information as you’d like on the list, which is distributed to members at rehearsals. Ask Annie for a copy of the most current directory.
Q: What about a choir E-mail list?
A: If you would like to join Love Choir’s private Google group, give Steve Dillin your e-mail address at rehearsal. Folks without e-mail can receive reminders or late-breaking news by telephone, courtesy of Jacque Ritchie. Give Jacque your phone number if you would like to receive such calls.
Q: I’d like to sing a solo with the group and have a song in mind. What should I do?
A: Talk to Jim about it.
Q: I play an instrument. Is there room in the band for me?
A: Possibly. Talk to Jim about it.
Q: Any special events I should know about?
A: In mid-March, we often perform during St. Patrick’s Day festivities at the Catholic Church in Elk, and at the Methodist Church in Point Arena. We usually stay overnight in the area prior to our gigs, and have a potluck dinner & songfest. In late June, we attend and perform at the Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival near Laytonville (Mendocino County); we camp for several nights there.
Q: I’ve written a song/a poem/a story that I’d like to share with the group. When can I do that?
A: We have semi-annual talent shows that are put on by the choir for the choir at Subud Center. We usually have a potluck dinner beforehand. You can rehearse your song (or someone else’s song) with the band or Jim a few weeks before the show. These events are great fun and very supportive.
Q: I have a friend who’s interested in the choir. What should he/she do?
A: Come to a rehearsal and sing!
Q: Does the choir follow any particular spiritual path?
A: No. Folks come from lots of different backgrounds.
Q: I’ve been coming regularly, but I need to leave town for a couple of months/I have a conflict on
Wednesday nights for a couple of months. Is that OK?
A: Yes. The choir will be here when you come back. Just let Jim know.
A: April 1997. The Love Choir debuted at Sebastopol’s annual Apple Blossom Festival, when Jim (“Brother Jimmy Lovejoy”) gathered some folks together to do a Sunday morning gospel concert. The rest is history, and you’re continuing to make that history.
Q: Will joining the Love Choir change my life?
A: Quite possibly!
We welcome you with open arms into our circle of song!